LASD Hosts 30th Annual Holiday Party for Disabled and Abused Children

"Just the look on some of the kid’s faces when they come through this event is priceless."

Kids were treated to toys, clothes, pictures with Santa and more at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department's annual 999 for Kids Snow Day holiday party on Sunday afternoon. Nearly 1,000 children attended the event.

LASD and the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) created the 999 for Kids Program 30 years ago. The program assists severely disabled and abused children.

The number 999 is a radio code that means an officer or deputy needs assistance, said Capt. Roosevelt Johnson, chair of the 999 for Kids Program. Johnson said the program raises money to send kids to camp, buy specialized equipment like wheelchairs and give scholarships to the kids when they are older.

On top of that, LASD throws a holiday party every year just for the children and their families. This year, they hosted the party at the Sheriff's Training and Regional Services (STARS) Center.

At the "North Pole village," kids received toys and food from McDonald's. The village featured other attractions like train rides, inflatable jumpers, face painting and a petting zoo.

Kids also could play in snow and visit Santa's toy workshop to make holiday crafts and take pictures with Santa Claus.

"Just the look on some of the kid's faces when they come through this event is priceless," Johnson said. "And that's what we get enjoyment for."

LASD also partnered with DCFS and the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) to host this event. FIDM donated over $110,000 in clothing, accessories, school supplies and books from their FIDM Scholarship Foundation's store to give to each family.

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